Trevor smiles down at the kobold, and uses pantomime in hopes to tell the scavenger that, for his people, it is likely the only way out.
The cleric points at the crude map Mimips drew and understands what to expect.
Despite the warning, you move past Mimips and open the exiting door. Mimips rushes to hide behind the counter and cowers.
Malphene says, "I'll keep an eye on him." She stays in the greeting room with the other nobles.
A leering statue stands atop a plinth in the northwestern corner of this L-shaped hallway. The statue holds a scepter, which it points toward a door to the east. The south end of the hall is a heap of collapsed dirt and wood.
Moments after entering the hallway, bloody circles quickly appear on the walls of the hall. They begin as light splotches but the sticky red liquid wells up thicker and thicker until it starts dripping downwards, marring their perfectly round shapes. You feel the urge to look closer and interact with them.
Trevor recognizes this as a manifestation of a haunt.
When a haunt is triggered, its effects manifest at initiative rank 10 in a surprise round. All characters in the haunt’s proximity can attempt to notice the haunt at the start of this surprise round by making a notice check). All haunts detect life sources and trigger as a result of the approach of or contact with living creatures, but some haunts can be tricked by effects like hide from undead or invisibility. On the surprise round in which a haunt manifests, positive energy applied to the haunt (via channeled energy, cure spells, and the like) can damage the haunt’s hit points (a haunt never gains a Will save to lessen the damage done by such effects, and attacks that require a successful attack roll to work must strike AC 10 in order to affect the haunt and not merely the physical structure it inhabits). Unless the haunt has an unusual weakness, no other form of attack can reduce its hit points. If the haunt is reduced to 0 hit points by positive energy, it is neutralized— if this occurs before the haunt takes its action at initiative rank 10, its effect does not occur.
A neutralized haunt is not destroyed, and can manifest again after a period of time—to destroy a haunt, a specific action must be taken in the region to end the effect forever. This specific act is different for every haunt.
Initiative
21 - Icabhod
17 - Xallis
15 - Trevor
14 - Henrika
13 - Tychus
13 - Liraela
10 - Haunt - Curse of Circles
Holding his holy symbol aloft, Trevor advances a walls down the hall, enough to still be in the radius of the light.
This is the way through, Trevor thought to himself. Cayden, be with me.
Looking up to the leering statue, Trevor asks, no commands, "Let. Us. Pass."
+ FCB = 6
Trevor neutralizes the haunt. The haunted rings of blood fade away. As they do so, Trevor receives a flash of the haunt's "memory". In his mind, he sees a vision of a man matching the image of Eros Glendower from the autobiography in the library. He is performing an arcane ritual in a large circular chamber but then the ritual goes terribly wrong and Eros is consumed by necromantic energy which disintegrates his body to dust.
The door at the end of the hallway is locked with a complex locking mechanism. Without the proper key, the lock looks like it would be a challenge for Liraela to disable.
Trevor's heart rate slows back down as he takes in the information. "The ghost..It was Eros Glendower. He failed. And, now he's stuck in the Circles. Poor bastard."
Blinking, the caydenite continued. "I'll let the others know. Ms. Liraela, I believe the door is yours."
Henrika laughs. "Nicely done, Trevor. Swift and solid. That lock looks especially difficult, though. We might need to search for the key." She cocks her head. "I wonder where Eros Glendower's body is? Where did he perform the ritual that trapped him?"
I suppose that if he was trapped here, that he is now free to go wherever.
Xallis shudders at the initial manifestation of the haunt, and still seems unease even as the holy light neutralizes the immediate danger. "I always did hate those things. Just another reason to carry a wand of curing with you. Standard issue in the Society, they were. Even more so than their famous Wayfinders."
"The happy sticks?" his eidolon inquires, indulging in her summoner's coping.
"Yes, that is what the new recruits liked to call them. Anyway, we might need to find a key. Or, if miss Liraela has it in her, we'd be happy to provide assistance."
”This place is extremely unusual for a supposed ‘safe house’. Beginning to think it’s not really safe at all, actually.” Liraela says sarcastically, before taking a look at the door. ”I’ll certainly give it a shot, never seen one like this before.”
Wide stairs descend into this tiered, circular chamber. Chairs stand in odd positions throughout the room, collected into circular patterns, even outside of the greater circular patterns of the hall itself. Circular gouges mar the surface of the wooden walls and floor here, some left to stand alone, while others are multiple circular scratches overlaying one another, joined by lines and scrawlings. The greatest concentration of circles gathers on the ceiling, some forty feet above, where multicolored circles inscribed with artistic fanaticism surround a five-foot-wide hole in the ceiling.
After taking a bit to expertly pick apart the surprisingly double-locked door, she turns to the group and waves her arms dramatically.
”Tada! Still got it.”
Noticing the reactions the nobles (particularly Lord Botoles) give her, she stops showing as much bravado and shrugs her shoulders. ”Life is hard on the streets, you pick up a few things here and there, can’t be helped.”
"Seems as though we are finally reaching the conclusion to these damned circles. It's clear that Eros' efforts were in vain. This place stinks with the stench of evil."
Tychus audibly sniffs the air. While there is no smell, he is still perturbed by something about the room. He begins casting Detect Magic in order to sweep the room of any lingering spells or items.
Trevor nods. "This was the room I saw in the vision of the haunt."
I would not be surprised at all if if we are attacked by some undead vestiage.
Indignantly, Trevor turns toward the investigator. "Why In The Bottom of The Keg would you say that out loud!!"
Henrika stands straighter and peers up into the grand chamber. "Why does it feel like we are being watched?" she mutters to the others. "Are we absolutely sure that Eros Glendower failed at whatever he was trying to do?"
Navia makes her way towards the wall, testing her claws against it. Best to make sure it won't crumble. "I wonder what's up there?"
Out of curiosity, the eidolon makes her way towards the wall and climbs up. At Xallis' request, she does her best to avoid disturbing any of the circle patterns.
She climbs the wall until she reaches the ceiling, where she curiously tests the handholds. She doesn't want to risk trying and failing to do her best impersonation of a spider.
I would not be surprised at all if if we are attacked by some undead vestiage.
"I would still be surprised." Xallis says with a shudder. He takes the time to draw a long scroll from his bags, particularly towards the section with see invisibility on it. Just in case.
Navia climbs up to the creche in the ceiling and is overpowered by the stench of animal urine - also rendered into circular patterns.
It looks like there are some items stashed up there but before she can investigate further, a loud voice booms.
"You dare intrude upon my kingdom! You are interrupting my research into the will of the circles and that cannot be forgiven. I am the Hierophant of the Arc, Archduke of Tangencies, the Beginning and the End..."
While the speaker rambles off titles, Xallis can cast his see invisibility scroll. However, he doesn't see the ghost of a Taldan noble he was expecting. Instead, a large, halfling-sized rat clings to the ceiling. The black rat wears a few pieces of jewelry and has covered his body is white chalk circles.
"...I am Dagio, the Great!" The rat pauses his speech when he sees Xallis look up at him. "Kill!"
When Dagio shouts his command, swarms of rats occupying several hidden cubbies in the room burst outward to overwhelm you.
Round 1
Initiative
24 - Icabhod
24 - Rat Swarm (Red)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue)
24 - Rat Swarm (Yellow)
22 - Dagio (Invisibility)
18 - Tychus
13 - Liraela (17/18 hp)
13 - Henrika
02 - Xallis (See Invisibility 20 min.)
02 - Navia (Mage Armor 60 min.)
02 - Trevor
01 - Malphene
Icabhod gets to go first.
•This dire rat is or was a familiar, so its type changed from animal to magical beast.
•Dire rats are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.
•A dire rat’s bite inflicts a disease called filth fever.
•A rat swarm’s type is animal (swarm).
•A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites.
•A rat swarm’s bite inflicts a disease called filth fever.
•A swarm has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking.
•A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons.
•Reducing a swarm to 0 hit points or less causes it to break up, though damage taken until that point does not degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Swarms are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage.
•A swarm cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and they cannot grapple an opponent.
•A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms) if the swarm has an Intelligence score and a hive mind. A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.
•A swarm deals automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover.
Icabhod backs up and drinks an extract of Shield(+4 AC 2 minute) All I have is my sword for this..
Round 1
After Icabhod drinks his extract, the swarms of rats all swarm into the center of the room and engulf you. You all swing at them with whatever is in hand as they approach.
The rats rush around your legs and climb up your bodies, biting over and over.
Dagio casts a spell and fires a bolt of acid at Navia. The acid splashes over her and clings to her skin, continuing to burn. When he does so, he becomes visible for all to see.
Round 1
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (18/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
24 - Rat Swarm (Red) (3 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue) (1 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Yellow) (2 damage)
22 - Dagio
18 – Tychus (13/19 hp) (Nauseated 1 rd)
13 – Liraela (16/18 hp) (Nauseated 1 rd)
13 – Henrika (14/19 hp)
02 – Xallis (13/19 hp) (See Invisibility 20 min.) (Nauseated 1 rd)
02 – Navia (11/13 hp) (Mage Armor 60 min.) (Acid Arrow 1 rd)
02 – Trevor (12/16 hp)
01 – Malphene (9/13 hp)
Round 2
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (18/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
Everyone is up. Tychus, Liraela, and Xallis unfortunately are nauseated and can only take a move action.
Round 1
Disgusted and bitten, Trevor moves out of the (yellow) rat swarm. the cleric then takes out the vial of acid Mimips gave him and throws it4 into the (yellow) rat swarm.
Icabhod slashes at his swarm.
Liraela, covering her mouth with her hand in disgust, will move towards the north stairs, avoiding the other two swarms while escaping the one that was on her.
Rodents swarm over Xallis from all sides. They get in his hair, in his clothes, and at one point as he screams they almost get into his mouth. He stumbles away, far too distracted to concentrate on any spells or meaningful actions.
Navia lets out a hiss as the acid burns her flesh, thinning the membrane and leaving a pale mark where the skin is thinner. Gritting her teeth, she crawls towards the rat and makes her attack.
Round 1
Tychus rushes to the north to escape the swarm of rats. Liraela acts similarly towards the east.
Henrika slashes through multiple rats with her sword but countless rats still remain. Then she throws the critters off of her as she steps out of the swarm.
Navia crawls across the ceiling and claws at the rat. Her aim is centered but right before it connects, it slams into an invisible shield. The rat laughs. ”You fool! I’ve lived for a thousand years. Cower in fear at my magical might!”
(Very sorry, Henrika)
Trevor throws his vial of acid onto the rats which kills dozens of the creatures.
Malphene mirrors Henrika. She cuts through a swath of rats and escapes out of their area.
Round 2
Icabhod stands amongst the swarm of rats and stabs downwards at them and he does manage to skewer a few.
The mindless rats swarm to the closest targets. Henrika and Trevor manage to damage the swarm again as they are engulfed.
Dagio scurries 5 ft. away from Navia and looks down below him. ”You would throw acid on my minions?! See how it feels to burn!” Dagio fires off the same spell again, hitting Trevor with a splash of acid.
Round 2
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (16/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.) (Nauseated 1 rd)
24 - Rat Swarm (Red) (9 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue) (5 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Yellow) (10 damage)
22 – Dagio (Shield)
18 – Tychus (13/19 hp)
13 – Liraela (16/18 hp)
13 – Henrika (13/19 hp)
02 – Xallis (13/19 hp) (See Invisibility 20 min.)
02 – Navia (5/13 hp) (Mage Armor 60 min.)
02 – Trevor (6/16 hp) (Acid Arrow 1 rd)
01 – Malphene (9/13 hp)
Round 3
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (16/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.) (Nauseated 1 rd)
Everyone’s up. Only Icabhod is nauseated this round.
After being harassed by the endless vermin, Tychus finally manages to find an opening in which to dart to open ground. A flash of green light illuminates the room, finally revealing their true foe above.
With a keen eye, he momentarily observes his opponent. Seeing as the situation is getting more and more dire, he beseeches Abadar for some aid.
"I'm hoping this doesn't become a habit, but I need your help. Guide my aim!"
Henrika gnashes her teeth as she fights the swarm of rats, and glares over at their enemy, cursing him with her mesmeric stare. She then steps out of the flood of tiny creatures and swings her sword again.
Round 2
Despite his best efforts, Trevor was not at all prepared for rat swarms, as he screams from the acid spell. The cleric retreats up the ampitheater. The caydenite finally see the rat mastermind, then casts shield of faith on himself.
Ichabhod staggers out of the swarm.
Liraela will move closer to the rat on the ceiling, running along the circle of the room while pulling out a dart from a concealed spot in the elegant clothing around her neck. Looking up at it, she shoots the dart through her blowgun, hoping to incapacitate the disgusting rat.
Navia's hiss grows into a screech of pain as the acid eats away at her membrane, revealing sinuous pink muscles that writhe like serpents. A few deft clacks of her claws have her scooting across 5 feet of ceiling, where she kicks at the rodent spellcaster with each of her talons in turn.
Xallis considers his options with magic, but after a split second of 'eyeballing it' he determines the talking rat is out of range of a grease spell.
Instead, he draws his loaded crossbow and draws a bead on the rodent. Without suitable magic, he may as well bank on a disrupting shot.
Round 2
Liraela blows a dart at the rat-wizard and again, the attack is deflected by his invisible shield.
Henrika attacks the nearest rat swarm (blue). The rats dodge out of the way and her sword cuts a gash in the wooden floor.
Navia assaults Dagio with her talons. The first is deflected but the second one breaks through and rakes the rat. He glares at Navia angrily. ”Unacceptable!”
Malphene steps up and attacks the swarm (red) again. The swarm thins to a handful of creatures but still remains a threat.
Round 3
Icabhod finally moves out of the swarm.
The rats continue to swarm. The woman on the floor all hit at them with their weapons to fend them off.
Malphene screams as the rats pounce on her. Her body is covered in hundreds of tiny bites. ”Help. Get them off of me!” She crouches into a ball and covers her face with one arm and waves her other arm wildly to fend off the vermin.
Dagio activates a tiny rod in his hand causing the tip to crackle with electricity. As he swings it at Navia, Xallis’ crossbow bolt crashes into the wall next to him, startling him, and he misses completely. He mutters to himself and then scurries away and down the wall to the floor of the chamber. ”Circles within circles. Eros was wrong, but I’ll get it right.”
Trevor takes 5 acid damage and the spell effect ends.
Round 3
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (16/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
24 - Rat Swarm (Red) (15 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue) (9 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Yellow) (12 damage)
22 – Dagio (Shield) (7 damage)
18 – Tychus (13/19 hp) (Divine Favor 10 rd)
13 – Liraela (10/18 hp)
13 – Henrika (9/19 hp) (Nauseated 1 rd)
02 – Xallis (7/19 hp) (See Invisibility 20 min.)
02 – Navia (5/13 hp) (Mage Armor 60 min.)
02 – Trevor (1/16 hp) (Shield of Faith 2 min)
01 – Malphene (3/13 hp) (Nauseated 1 rd)
Round 4
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (16/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
Everyone’s up.
As chaos descends around him, Tychus takes on an air of calmness. Without missing a beat, he takes aim and fires a bolt at the dire rat.
Without waiting to see if the bolt hits, he reloads a new bolt, ready to fire again should his foe still stand.
Round 3
After the lingering effects of the acid arrow, the cleric could feel the fingers of Pharasma wrap her delicate fingers around his neck. The next few moments would like be crucial to the rest of the corporeal existence on Golarion. Trevor knew he could heal himself, but Dame Malphene might not get the aid she needs in time to save her life. A moment's hesitation for his celestial heritage to pump in his veins to confirm what Trevor needed to do.
A now familiar voice swam through Trevor's determination.
"May Pharasma Damn You, Dagio!" The aasimar spits up at the floating Rat King, as he runs back down the amphitheater seats. Holding his holy symbol so hard it dug into his hand, Trevor bore his iridescent eyes into the hunched Dame and shouted,
Choking and gasping, Henrika rushes out of the swarm and makes a beeline for the stairs, trying to get to higher ground.
Seeing that the red swarm is running low on rats, Liraela will scurry out of the swarm she's tangled up with and try to finish it off.
With her blacked orbs focused on the fleeing rodent, Navia scurries along the ceiling in persuit. While still a few feet over her quarry, she releases her grasp and drops down, hoping to drop her talons on his head in a sort of overhead stabbing kick.
For a single serene moment, Xallis' eyes are caught up in Trevor's display. A glorious, golden light of warmth and healing, a shining beacon of the divine.
Another flurry of rat bites snap him out of it and remind him that he is just a bit out of that light's range. After considering his options, he decides to gamble on the larger rat controlling the minions. Making a mad dash out of the piles of rats, he rushes across the room while drawing a knife. "Well Diago. Daigo. Whatever it is, prepare to die!"
Round 3
Tychus fires a shot at Dagio. The rat ducks behind the nearest bench. The bolt slams into the wood where his head was just moments ago sending splinters showering through the air.
Liraela stabs a particularly plump rat in the swarm harrying Malphene. With its death, the swarm discorporates; any remaining rats in that swarm scurry off into the shadows.
Navia drops from the ceiling in an attempt to drop onto of the rat with her talon, but the only thing she hits is her head on the floor.
Then Trevor unleashes a powerful channel energy.
Malphene straightens but remains in place breathing heavily. She manages a weak, ”Thank you.” and gives Trevor a smile.
Round 4
Icabhod moves back up and engages the swarm again.
The swarms swarm again with renewed vigor. Henrika and Lireala cut down swarm (yellow) to nearly half its size as it rolls forward. Then the biting continues.
Dagio whacks Navia with his ‘rod’ (actually a wand) and sends a jolt of electricity through her body. Then he scurries away, ducking under Navia and Xallis attacks as he does so. The nobles in the hallway gasp and recall when he passes by. "Observe as I traverse the immaculate circumference" he babbles.
Round 4
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (13/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.) (Nauseated 1 rd)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue) (4 damage)
24 - Rat Swarm (Yellow) (13 damage)
22 – Dagio (Shield) (2 damage)
18 – Tychus (19/19 hp) (Divine Favor 9 rd)
13 – Liraela (11/18 hp)
13 – Henrika (15/19 hp)
02 – Xallis (13/19 hp) (See Invisibility 20 min.)
02 – Navia (4/13 hp) (Mage Armor 60 min.)
02 – Trevor (6/16 hp) (Shield of Faith 2 min)
01 – Malphene (9/13 hp)
Round 5
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (13/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.) (Nauseated 1 rd)
Everyone's up.
Suppressing a few choice curse words, Tychus hurriedly ascends the nearby stairs, both to get a better shot at Dagio, and to put some distance between himself and the remaining rat swarms. Mid-stride, he fires off a shot.
Round 4
All out of good ideas, Trevor exited the (yellow)rat swarm, and attacked it.
Henrika regains control of herself and finishes making her way up the stairs towards her quarry. She sees Tychus fire at Dagio, and momentarily uses her hypnotic connection to the crazy dire rat to heighten the pain of his experience.
Once she reaches the top, she circles the rotunda, implacably following Dagio and ending with him within reach of her longsword.
Trevor runs away!
Navia and Xallis groan in unison at just how obnoxious this foe can be. The eidolon picks herself up and rushes after her quarry, while Xallis follows closely behind, drawing a scroll from his case in his free hand.
Round 4
Tychus fires again. This time, he hits the rat-wizard right between the small of his back. Henrika’s stare causes the injury to burn even more. Dagio stumbles and shrieks.
Liraela stabs at the swarm attacking her then moves up the stairs to cut off Dagio from the other direction.
Henrika and Xallis give chase.
Trevor tries to hit the rat swarm but they are too nimble and dodge out of the way.
Malphene also tries and misses the rats. She takes a step back towards Icabhod. ”These rats are endless!” she yells in frustration.
Round 5
Trevor runs away!Move
Icabhod is so confused by the rats, he forgets his own name.
The rats surge forward again. The (blue) swarm engulfs Trevor while the (yellow) swarm moves towards Malphene and Icabhod. The two of them hack at it with their swords and the rats disperse, ending one less threat.
The last remaining swarm bites ferociously at Trevor.
Meanwhile, Dagio continues to vex you and flees around the room again.
Henrika slashes Dagio hard as he flees. When he stops, he chants in an attempt to cast a spell but he stumbles on the words and the magic fizzles out. He breathes heavily from the injuries sustained. ”No! That was my last spell! No matter. Inferior beings cannot triumph over me. I need merely to complete rounding the perimeter. Then you’ll see.”
Round 5
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (13/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
24 - Rat Swarm (Blue) (4 damage)
22 – Dagio (Shield) (22 damage)
18 – Tychus (19/19 hp) (Divine Favor 8 rd)
13 – Liraela (11/18 hp)
13 – Henrika (15/19 hp)
02 – Xallis (13/19 hp) (See Invisibility 20 min.)
02 – Navia (4/13 hp) (Mage Armor 60 min.)
02 – Trevor (1/16 hp) (Shield of Faith 2 min)
01 – Malphene (9/13 hp)
Round 6
Initiative
24 – Icabhod (13/19 hp) (Shield 2 min.)
Everyone's up.
Permitting himself the briefest of smirks, Tychus quickly reloads his crossbow. His foe wouldn't escape him this day.
With determination and a quick prayer to Abadar, Tychus attempts another solid shot.
Henrika adds a flash of psychic regret to Tychus's crossbow bolt with her painful stare.
She then follows behind the dire rat, thinking she should probably not give heed to his rambling words but pondering them anyway. She curses as she recognizes that he is faster than she is, and pushes past him on the narrow path.
Icabhod slashes at the swarm!